𝓬𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓻 ╱ for daenaera targaryen ( @divinitics )
arwyn's hands play with the fabric of their coat. it takes a few heartbeats for the seagard liege to process the word's a lady has presented them with — the princess daenaera calls upon you for tea. arwyn does not trust the dragon's invitation; as far as they know, the princess might just be asking them to walk towards their own funeral. steps feel heavy as they make their way to where they've been instructed to meet the dragon. ❝ princess. ❞ arwyn curtsies and stands at the entrance. they feel stiff, as if they are walking into a dragon's mouth. ❝ i hope i have not kept you waiting. ❞
the silver dragon tried not to balk, her shock veiled under layers of courtly propriety. the rumours were far too true for comfort as lilac gaze met violet — and daenaera ignored the strange pull of her stomach as she saw far too much of her sister upon the mallister's features. " not at all. " a gracious smile, the very picture of regal warmth. one must keep enemies close, but potential foes infinitely closer. " it is an honour to welcome you to court, my liege. it is my understanding that your family has not spend much time in king's landing, if at all. " by design, of course. if not through direct orders from the queen, then due to the the family's own trepidation. either way, it was wise for both sides to be overly cautious. " i endeavour to be acquainted with all of my mother's noble subjects. "
CLOSED STARTER — feat. imperial crown princess adhika dagareon ( @sapphircd )
contrition, for sins not of one's own.
a part of surviving, a part of success, was to know exactly when to stow away one's pride. even though it might hurt to do so. seated primly in one of the beautifully embroidered chairs within the chambers of the essosi royals, the dragon princess understood that this was not one of those times. this, she knew innately, was a conversation long overdue. " it is a great regret of mine that i did not formally made my apologies to you earlier, your highness. " it was not her sin, but she knew disappointment borne from her own kin — even if it is nowhere near the slight that the imperial princess had experienced. " it seemed most proper that my brother be the one to do so first. . . but he is not one to be controlled, except by whims of his own. " and gods knows that the very last thing she wanted to do during her time in essos was to disturb a sister who was mourning her brother.
closed starter for @divinitics , daenaera targaryen .
“i'm afraid my lettres have grown more vague as the months have passed. out of caution, of course.” an overload of raven flocks could be seen gathering upon the distant skies. who could risk one raven being opened when it was meant for another? in the first weeks, the lettres had been at length — and then, becoming more tapered, more coded. to carilyn, this seemed to be a mutual agreement, thus unspoken, between the two, for daenaera's lettres had also shortened. “but now we can speak somewhat freely.” an arch of brow. “or perhaps we should be all the more cautious?” when it came to such moves, harlaw would take cues from targaryen, and follow suit in her shadow as fit.
she shook her head, silver tresses glistening against the soft morning light. " no, it is a good decision. a raven's journey to essos is long and arduous as it is, i do not doubt that some might have been intercepted. " by the essosi or their own people — it is too difficult to tell. " it will bode us well to be all the more careful, although there will be more convenient times to communicate amongst a crowd. " the harlaws could not seem too intertwined with the dragons lest they will be utterly unable to assimilate and truly listen. " i assume that nothing had changed between your house and the greyjoys. . . i would vastly prefer if they remain politically isolated. "
location: a quiet courtyard under a borough of trees
Stood deep in the shadows cast by a cascade of leaves, Tywell indulged in a rarely witnessed moment of quiet reflection. The oppressive heat did not deter flowers from seeking to shine in the best phase, their full bloom quietly defying the stilted air, the product of a thousand breaths still held in fear. "I have no doubt you have words of wisdom to offer in these trying times -- I dare say you have begun to give our family a name unassociated with impertinence, though I have not yet decided if the notion vexes me." Tywell had long ago learned his usual manner granted him little satisfaction with Cersha, who possessed an irritatingly precise ability to turn his most ghoulish sentiments into passive thoughts of intelligence. He had sought her company to offer his thoughts reprieve from notions of doom and half laid plans for vengeance. "Do you think of what our forefathers would make of these events? I believe above all else, they would be terribly disappointed I had no hand in them."
the northern lion laughed slightly, quiet, and under their breath. it is no secret that her difference remains as stark as ever when placed between those of their house, it had taken her until adulthood to understand that it was not necessarily something to correct. " on the contrary cousin, might i venture to say that these times are not trying for our family. is it not? we are all safe, our castles and reputations intact. i daresay that our forefathers might perhaps urge us to count our blessings. " but it was a saccharine view that their mother would not have allowed, and so cersha had long abandoned the notion of simple pleasures. " but opportunities could arise for us, could it not? " their tone was low, quiet in the way in which it blended with the soft tittering of birds and laughter of nobles milling about the fountain some distance away. " the crown must rebuild. one could almost wonder if a dragon could part from such a large part — if not all — its hoard. . . has none of the queen's advisors not ventured to casterly rock to petition for your help in this matter? " the lion's hoard knows no bounds, after all. " or perhaps your good brother, the lord aerion targaryen, had called to inquire of some sort of help? "
months had passed since last she stepped upon westerosi soil. the now crown princess of pentos. first time she came, she came as a bride, second time she comes as heir to another kingdom, to essos. the last three months had been a hurricane of emotions and more than anything a trial upon harpy's soul. "you glow as always." she murmured with a smile, walking towards her friend and embracing them. these months had been harsh on them all and the flower before her had also known loss in it all. in truth, the hurricane of wrath within her had not settled after these months but considering the loss of a sibling ⸻ her wrath could wait.
a small smile, bright and teasing. " those dragons would have to think twice about scorning you, yet again. " the might of the essosi armies could not be understated, for if the large winged lizard pets of the westerosi royals were not brought into battle, there was no doubt in her mind that their military prowess could crush their neighbour's in a heartbeat. " but i am even more glad that you had not married the prince of dragonstone now. our future empress should not be beholden to a foreigner. " empress, such a melodious word.
CLOSED STARTER — feat. lady shaera rogare ( @sacrificeds )
the blood of old valyria, amongst flowers.
" it is no lys, but i myself must admit that highgarden is more beautiful than most. " of course, not until the new red keep will be finished — the dragon princess' pride could not help but to take a half-hearted offence to how much the nobles had remarked upon the beauty of their surroundings. not the same could be said during their time in the red keep, alas, power could not always be beautiful. " although i should say that perhaps the improvements in king's landing will not place us too far behind - alas ! " a feigned bout of modest laughter, for if the silver dragon was in less of a sensitive company, she might venture to say that the ruin of king's landing be a blessing in disguise. " have you much news from lys, my lady? i daresay any sign of a naval assault by the volantene would undoubtedly be swiftly unmade by the combined naval power of tyrosh and lys. " dragons, however, would be something else entirely, and daenaera was good enough to leave such grim possibilities unsaid.
CLOSED STARTER — feat. ser euron harlaw ( @hamart1as )
over cups; bright laughs and lingering touches
it has been a good long while since the myrish pearl found herself in the company of those not from her family — a rare treat in the quest of brighter times. " and you have been enjoying the salt in your veins, for which i am endlessly jealous. " dark violet gaze scrutinised him, and remembered the last time his strong arms had encased her against silk sheets. saeleya took a long sip of her wine, throwing him a look over a bronzed shoulder. " i have just heard that your crown prince survived the narrow sea but his dragon did not. . . i do not think that westeros has ever had a king who is not a dragonrider, yes? "
elder listened to younger, his own tea left untouched. appetite and thirst were the first to leave when settling into a new place. "zeokas and i were forged by distance." soft admittance flowed forth; the pain and frustration of differing personalities between rider and dragon had long since faded, but it didn't erase the years aelyx spent wondering if his own dragon despised him too.
"you must admit the logistical nightmare of having all our dragons here." he took a slow breath, gaze dropping. "and perhaps she's thinking of rhaeys. so he --- doesn't have to face a constant reminder of what he's lost."
daenaera, frustrated and tense as she already was, tried not to look visibly annoyed at her brother's quiet resignation. if she was the mistress of her own castle, there will be no stone left unturned in her quest to petition for her very own dragonpit — no matter who was placed in her path. " i understand that. i merely say that perhaps we could have stayed in dragonstone until king's landing is fully rebuilt. . . " at the mention of their eldest brother, however, the dragon princess' countenance folded into something quite solemn. " he must be allowed to claim another, as soon as he is able. " her words were forceful, sharp. for what use was a future king without the source of his power? daenaera herself was not glib enough to realise that their family's lofty grasp of power came from pure, inspired loyalty. " no need for ceremonies, he must venture immediately to claim another. he is true blood of the dragon, no harm will come to him there. "
closed starter for daenera targaryen @divinitics .
making the rounds in the gardens, which here, are unburnt.
hands clasped behind liege - heir's back, lighter brown centre of iris surrounding pupil to take in the jurisdiction of their current stay. invitation on behalf of highgarden did little to erase the memories of the red keep from naerys's mind — but they could only imagine this was the surface feather of the raven which, perhaps, lurked in daenera targaryen's mind. like, it seemed, continued to recognise like, and they were surprised they had managed to convince her to a stroll much like one months ago. “leisurely stroll or not, if i must comment on the weather being pleasant one more time, i will fling myself into a thorn bush.” paege barbs delivered, albeit not at another in particular, but rather laid as traps might to any who approached unwanted. “this seems rather ill-fated a question. but i must inquire as to how you're doing.” appraising, heir - pendant swinging deep onyx in their left earlobe. “to witness a dance is one thing. to have danced is another.”
the silver dragon's lips curled into a small smile, for she trusted the paege liege to truly unfurl what is in their mind in the most entertaining of ways. " i could not agree more, it is simply what one says to someone they do not truly want to converse with. " it was not so between them, to be sure. daenaera took a moment before answering her friend's question ( although could they truly be called friends, when all is said and done? were frequent and meaningful transactions and promises be enough to call the paege heir amongst her friends? ). " it is unlike anything i have ever — or will ever — experienced. " she began slowly, not merely choosing her words carefully but choosing the words meaningful enough to convey her thoughts. " some have inquired on how shaken i am, or how i am coping. they have presumed the wrong sentiment. it felt like i was meant to do it all along, and i could understand why the prospect of such an emotion might inspire the volantene to drastic measures. " the silver-haired valyrian casted a lilac gaze around to their surroundings, until utterly sure that eavesdroppers were nowhere near their vicinity. " i have not slained a dragon before, but something strange happened as callaelis tore her claws into him. . . "
CLOSED STARTER — feat. lady allaria greyjoy ( @vencmovs )
a maze of flowers, as far as the eye could see
" my darling, not too far ! " her son, by far the most rambunctious of all her children, ran giggling into the lovely maze of fragrant roses, and like clockwork — his elder sister dutifully set off after him. the northern lion smiled contentedly as they walked arm in arm with their eldest daughter; almost truly a lady grown. " children are excitable in new places, are they not? " she remarked at another lady within their vicinity, smile warm and wistful. " a parent could almost commend their fearlessness if not truly wrenched by worry. "
CLOSED STARTER - feat. lord sinan martell ( @hamart1as )
in the shadows, in silence, and in whispers of old valyria
if she were asked, the silver dragon would insist that she is most unchanged by the recent events. but even in her heavy mind, she felt herself unable to believe her own lies. the realm had been without war for centuries, and daenaera knew now that it had made their leaders complacent - or in her mother's case; fearful. she had seen essos now, the utter vastness of her lands and people, and for once it had made her feel small. small now, yes, but somehow ever hungrier for something more. " i had almost veered off-course once," the starmaiden murmured, lilac gaze drawn to the distance, somehow seeing the impossible breadth of the land and sky from atop callaelis even still. " i had wanted to fly over the peninsula. . . just once, just to see if i could make out anything from so high above. " their travels in and around volantis had been challenging enough as it was, but daenaera was nothing if not ambitious. " the sky was not as red as i had thought, and i- " she paused, feeling her words seize in her throat. " -i wanted nothing more than to just see. "
she had not spoken this much - nor this truthfully - to the dornish lord. not once. but her lilac gaze found his in frustrated desperation. " but i was too fearful- of the magic, of the horrific monsters. . . i shouldn't have been but i was. " it is her ancestral land, is it not? why shouldn't it welcome her back to its arms, safe and sound? daenaera shook her head sharply, silver gold tresses shimmered under the dim light of the candles. " there is no place for me here. but perhaps i could carve space for me out there. "
WESTEROS TASK: arc i timeskip
as the sun sets, the skies allowed dragons to dance
princess daenaera targaryen of westeros
she sustained minor burns and bruises, nothing that she couldn't handle, and immediately went to work. a mere fortnight after the siege of king's landing, she came to her mother with a proposal that she couldn't refuse: for the emperor had been shaken in the knowledge that there were actual dragons in volantis that he desired some dragons for himself. no, she wasn't going to give the imperial crown some dragon eggs, but she was willing to act as scout and spy for the emperor, to soar high above volantis and the surrounding area before coming back to report upon troop movements or any valuable sightings, for a very large sum. the esssosi crown has more gold than most people would see in a lifetime, and it was for that one reason that the queen reluctantly agreed to allow her eldest daughter to go. the only stipulation, she was to be accompanied by her babysitter brother: the prince-commander daeron.
they didn't get hurt, for the most part, and the gold that they earned was used to rebuild king's landing and the red keep into something bigger and more monstrous than before. the two were in essos for the better part of 2 months, moving between the southern cities in order to better conserve time and energy when scouting in and around volantene territory.
lady saeleya moraqos of myr
she sailed straight to pentos for the crow prince's funeral, where she met up with her father and elder brother. they were both somber, and spoke in low voices to her about the increased naval drills back home, and the terrified looks that their people were throwing at the sky. news travelled fast when the line of succession was concerned, and the grand prince was furious at the lack of preparation due to the abject refusal of the tyroshi archons in believing that dragons were involved. there were whispers of magic now, and the good sailors of myr spent many nights in temples of the merling king, praying quietly for safe passage through the seas. trade was immediately cut off to the eastern cities, for no captain would risk their lives for mere gold.
saeleya was basically constrained to the shores of myr, and it suffocated her. she sent ravens back and forth to adhika in pentos, and a few attempts in contacting her friends in qarth. not many letters returned, and the few that did assure her that absolutely everyone was on high alert. many of the myrish people fought for the imperial crown, and the amount of ships docked in their port grew smaller every day. her elder brother himself had commanded an armada in the name of the emperor towards volantis, and saeleya hoped every day that she would be able to see him again.
ruling liege cersha bolton nee lannister of dreadfort
they had wanted so very much to stop by lannisport to see her mother, but after the siege of king's landing, they knew that it would not be possible. the boltons rode back to dreadfort without stopping, and cersha held each of her children with a vice-like grip, thankful and terrified. she quietly remembered the way the tower of the hand fell in a flurry of fire and ash, and cersha looked at their husband without saying a word. if he were to succeed, if that tower was to be their home, the next siege might result in the spilt blood of their own children. perhaps he had thought the same, or perhaps his single-minded focus thought that the queen could not possibly navigate through this tragedy without a hand by her side. either way, cersha held his hand throughout the journey, and knew either way that she would stand by his side.
they corresponded fervently with their family in lannisport, and wasn't shocked at the news that their mother had decided that she will now seriously seek for a husband for cersei. the ruling lady asked for cersha's opinion, and cersha beamed with pride. they sent ravens to malenie in ashemark, sending her condolences for the death of her father and a myriad of apologies for not being able to attend the funeral. it was easy to ignore the threat of dragons in the north. the winter chill ever reminding her that the beasts will not be able to venture anywhere near them. It was fine for a while, and life went on as it did before everything happened.
— announcing the noble, 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚 of house bolton.
the lion who ventured too far north.
BASICS
birth name: cersha janei lannister
nickname: none they would answer to
title: ruling liege of dreadfort, former lady of lannisport
monikers: the winter lion
age: three and thirty
gender & pronouns: demi woman & she + they
orientation: bisexual
status: married to ruling lord willem bolton
spoken language(s): common
accent: quite deep, and soft. she is quiet and does not talk very often, but their words are always measured.
APPEARANCE
faceclaim: medalion rahimi
ethnicity: andal & rhoynar
height: 168 cm
build: average height, soft curves
hair: long midnight curls
eyes: dark lannister emerald
distinguishing features: her mother's sharp features, although her colouring matches more of her father — they have the ruling lady's smile, and her sharp haughty chin.
scent: jasmine and mint
MIND / PERSONALITY
intelligence: the ruling lady of lannisport holds education above most things, and taught her children the intricate art of being useful, cultured, and charming to a terrifying extent.
moral alignment: lawful neutral
mbti: isfj — the defender
temperament: phlegmatic
heavenly virtue: patience, kindness
deadly sin: pride
godly parents: hera & prometheus
character inspirations: jane bennett ( pride & prejudice ), cordelia ( king lear ), catelyn stark ( asoiaf / game of thrones )
DRIVES
religion: faith of the seven
alliance: the lannisters / the boltons
personal goals: she has always been a great support — from their mother to her husband. she will continue to do so as long as she could.
family vs power: family, above all else.
FAMILY
mother: ruling lady cerenna lannister of lannisport " the black widow "
— extremely close, they had always been an obedient daughter
father: ruling lord arash lannister nee vaith
— mother's husband number two. died a year after she was born
siblings: lady cersei lannister, lord/lady/liege heir lannister
— tba
husband: ruling lord willem bolton of dreadfort
— a marriage of convenience that turned into a true partnership built on love, trust, and knowing each other deep enough without having to speak a word.
children: lady catelyn, lady cerenna, and lord jojen bolton
— the loves of her life, she is a protective mother of her pride.
AESTHETICS
a little girl, upon their mother's lap — the black widow's child — gold running through her veins, they said, the sea deep within her lungs, they said. softness, even in the harsh cold of winter, fingers brushing through the silken hair of their offspring. a husband who looms almost as large as a formidable mother. the embers of ambition slowly growing into a roar. oh winter lion, you must now show your claws.
BIOGRAPHY
the formidable ruling lady of lannisport had always been a prize, the very picture of a golden lannister lioness. her second husband had been a handsome dornishman with large ambitions of rebuilding his family's fortune - and soon, the marriage had proved to be fruitful. cersha lannister did not cry when she entered the world, not until her mother shook her to attention. it was a glimpse to the rest of their life.
cersha grew up yearning for her mother's approval above all else. dutifully obedient to the whims and harsh lessons of the ruling lady, the second lannisport child had never once questioned her place in the world. she is a lannister, a prized lion in every sense of the word, and she must be shaped into something quite fearsome. unfortunately, it was obvious to all around them that cersha does not have the same fearless drive for ambition that most of her house was known for, nor the lofty haughtiness that the rest of their pride was cursed with. she is quiet, and ever watchful, and she so much wanted to help. the little lion could so easily be a forgotten disappointment, if it weren't for the cunning of the black widow herself.
anyone who have met the lady cerenna had always been struck by her intelligence. not necessarily in the arts of arithmetic or faith, but with cunning beyond compare. her second child did not have the appetite to scheme and lead the court? no matter. she will teach little cersha to be something all the more deadly. many children were swords and shields, but not many were pure steel itself. malleable cersha was taught to be steadfast and sturdy, to be able to sharp the swords of others and reinforce their shields - she is unassuming and forever away from the spotlight, but she is completely, and thoroughly essential.
when the time came for cersha to marry, the lady cerenna picked the young lord bolton without much fuss. he is the perfect match for her child, who would not falter in the cold and fearsome weight of dreadfort. a watchful lion to fan the flames of bolton ambition. cersha wed willem bolton dutifully, and even allowed herself to enjoy his handsome face. love was not too far behind.
they took to parenthood with expected ease. for it was simple after being raised by the lady lannister, cersha knew that one would only need to know and understand one's children in order to be a good parent. so she allowed them to grow with watchful patience, sharpening their swords when needed, and ever strengthening their shields.
in a world where one pays the price of power through blood, the need of tempered steel always grows. and so the winter lion will sit atop her dreaded castle; steadfast, and ever watchful.
WANTED CONNECTIONS
northern downpoour ( any gender, 30+, from a northern house ): she is a lannister, before anything else, and it is a fact that you could not forgive, no matter how many winter children and loyalty they might have. you will always be suspicious of a lion, and lions have no place in the north.
former betrothed ( any gender, 30+, heir to any house ): the black widow of lannisport had considered many for her precious child's hand. you were one of them, a forefront within the list perhaps. there were a few seasons of courting, and cersha truly thought that you were her future. feelings might have bloomed at that time - up for more plotting !
more tba i can't think of anything rn
the truths of life could not get any simpler than death: what one was to expect from it, or what one should do afterwards. they were simple, but not particularly easy. the northern lion had sat in silence next to her old friend, they couldn't quite find the words to say. " a mere raven was not enough, i apologise. " a small smile, tentative and slow. she had learnt from her husband that years of preparation does not necessarily make one completely ready for the mantle to rule. " i wanted to give you my condolences in person — and to offer to ease your burden, to the best of my abilities. "
CLOSED STARTER — feat. lord willem bolton ( @lovelaid )
in the quiet of their rooms, one hand reaches for another
there was nothing more breathtaking than a garden full of flowers after one has spent too much time in the north. king's landing had commanded respect, not necessarily beauty, and they lavished at the brightness that glittered outside of every well-placed window. despite so, the air remained solemn, and it did not take the lioness much consideration to truly understood why. " we should not be here. " her velvety soft voice reached the ears of her husband, as fingers busied themselves with a piece of intricate embroidery. " it is far too full of grief. the queen should know better than to intrude on a family's time of quiet. " a small bout of silence as their fingers continued their work. " i would not know how to continue on if any of you were harmed that night. "
CLOSED STARTER — feat. imperial crown princess adhika dagareon ( @sapphircd )
within the lavish rooms for the imperial family's use
the myrish pearl, heartened and refreshed from her voyage across the narrow sea, rested her dark violet gaze upon her closest friend. worry persistently pressed down in favour of something altogether more comforting. " you look well, " the last they had seen each other was during the former crown prince's funeral rites, and despite how much saeleya would rather stay by her friend's side; the orders of the grand prince of myr was not to be disobeyed. " i had not wish for you to ever set your foot in these lands again, but given the circumstances. . . " she paused, fingers gripping at the goblet of dornish red. " i only wish for a moment of peace for us both. "
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